Nightworld Academy: Term One(Nightworld Academy #1)(27)

"Then keep away from people!"

His voice angers. "I am not arguing with you, Maeve. If you prefer, you can retreat to the corner and study a history book to see what happened in our history. Perhaps then you would not be so judgemental."

I clench my teeth against saying anything that will anger this vampire more.

"Did you know any of this existed, Maeve?" pipes up Katherine. "Were you aware vampires and shifters lived amongst you?"

I glower at her.

"No? Well then. You can see how Tobias's teachings are necessary, and work."

I stare at the table, torn between disgust and understanding at why this is necessary magic. Yes, if mistakes reveal these people to society, this would cause mass panic. Or worse, the authority’s involvement. But some could use this to abuse humans—to feed or attack.

"Why isn't everybody learning mental magic?" I retort. "If it's important."

"Witches and vampires have the ability which can be honed. Not shifters."

"Yeah, it’s better to teach them to run faster," says a vampire boy beside Katherine and half the room laughs. I bristle on the shifters' behalf. Is there more tension between the races than I realised?

I spend the whole lesson sick to my stomach as Lucian describes how he succeeded in wiping a girl's mind and proudly explained the techniques he used. Some around scribble down his suggestions, including Jamie. I stare at my hands. This world isn't all about the academy. The life I've been dragged into is part of a much bigger, frightening picture.

The shock and the caffeine-loaded drink mix together to keep me awake as the time approaches 11 p.m.. I'm eager to escape and read, watch a show, anything to blank my mind the way these people are taught to do to others.

Amelia and Jamie wait as I gather my books and we walk towards the door. Tobias stands with his hands in his pockets as he watches the pupils file from the room. He even dresses like he's close to our age, and similar to many Petrescu students—dark clothes with a hint of colour from jewellery. His is a ruby-coloured pendant hanging above the two open shirt buttons on his pale chest.

"Maeve. Could I talk to you, please?"

I halt and look in terror at Amelia, who stops too.

"On your own. Good night, Amelia."

My heart thuds as he closes the door and rests his slender hand on the wood. Every cell in my body is aware of him and the fact we're alone. Is he about to demonstrate his skills on me? I stare at his mouth and am disgusted with myself for the fleeting thought of what his kiss would feel like.

Am I insane? Since when did I look at a teacher in this way?

Tobias's mouth tips at one corner. "We are built to elicit that reaction, Maeve."

"What reaction?"

He cocks a brow. "Really? You want me to spell this out?"

Hell, no. "What did you want to talk to me about?"

I wait for him to step away, sit and ask me to do the same. Instead, he continues to size me up. "If you disagree with my teaching, there is little you can do. My class is compulsory."

"I understand."

"No. You don't. I do not appreciate your judgement or your belief you are above what we do. One day, you will have need for what I teach."

"I wouldn't use it."

"Oh, you will." He laughs and looks at me as if I'm a child. "One day, you will thank me for what I taught you."

I can't argue. I've no idea what he's capable of—he frightens me as much as attracts me.

"I can see we'll have a difficult relationship, Maeve." I swallow. "But I advise you to listen and learn."

"I'll try, but I can't agree with vampires feeding on people and then brainwashing them. It's wrong."

He sighs. "I am not having a moral discussion with you about why that makes my teachings necessary. Let me leave you with a thought. You've been told who the Dominion are, yes?"

"A little."

"They want the humans to discover us. The Dominion long for a world they control and don't hide themselves from. To do that, they'll need to reveal themselves. Us. This will be a disaster for everybody; I'm sure even you can see that."

I glower at his patronising comment.

"Think about this. Each person who has an inkling we exist. Each accidental victim who tells a story. If we didn't use mental magic on humans, the consequences would help the Dominion. Fear would spread and divide people and pave the way for the Dominion’s plans."

I nod. "I understand."

He laughs. "No, you don't. But you will."

My discomfort grows and I edge back to the door. Every second I stand here with him, each word he says, the more vulnerable I feel. "Can I go now?"

Tobias leans forward and reaches for the door handle. I step out of his way as he opens the door again. I steal a final glance at him. If I'd met Tobias before anybody else, I wouldn't have needed much convincing that the supernatural live in the academy. He has an aura that screams he's otherworldly.

He smiles again, this time with more warmth in the cool room. "Of course, you may leave."

With my pulse racing and blood whooshing in my ears, I hurry out, almost bumping into Amelia waiting for me.

One sentence echoes in my mind: 'I can see we'll have a difficult relationship.'